I think what was done well in the first two episodes continues to be done well. I appreciate the deeper lore aspects they talk about even if the average viewer doesn't get it, it's still gorgeous to look at, the actors continue to be quality.
However I think the plot needs to start moving along more. For a die hard fan they'll hang onto the world building. For a casual viewer they'll get bored. The stranger plot is moving at a snails pace and doesn't seem connected to the greater plot. That time would've been better spent with Celebrimbor as he directly is tied to the titular theme of the show. The Harfoots are well done and entertaining in their own right, but it's just too early in the show to get bogged down in a slow moving plot when the audience still hasn't been introduced to any threat beyond Sauron existing *somewhere* . Without that plot moving faster, it seems as if their inclusion in the show is more of a weight than a wing. It's not their acting or dialogue , it's just too unconnected and slow at this point.
There's also some very , let's say awkward, creative choices. The first being Galadriel's slow motion scene on the horse. I hated that. Unflattering angle, scene went too long. If you want a hero rides horse across landscape scene watch Two Towers on the way to Edoras. The director really dropped the ball there. The second is the Warg , it's not wrong per say just wasn't the type of design I'd have picked. Lastly, too much slow mo in combat scenes. Let the fight play out, it's reminding me of Michael Bay. The editor also needs to let the panning shots of the vistas last a little longer. No WCS use for a quick cut of a gorgeous shot then an elongated view of Galadriel on the horse.
But ending on a good note : The Numenor plot with the humans and Halbrand is great. Halbrand 100% is sketchy and done well. Elendil might be the best actor of the series so far as well and I can buy him as a future king. The city itself looks the part as well. Arondir's plot , now being revealed as Mordor, takes on a whole new meaning.
All in all, on it's own the episode was satisfactory but not outstanding. The director and editor probably shouldn't be brought back and was carried by the material they're working with. And the reveal of Adar next episode or so needs to be worth this long wait because even as a die hard fan I find myself wanting the plot to move more quickly and not spend so much time watching Harfoots hold a festival.
However I think the plot needs to start moving along more. For a die hard fan they'll hang onto the world building. For a casual viewer they'll get bored. The stranger plot is moving at a snails pace and doesn't seem connected to the greater plot. That time would've been better spent with Celebrimbor as he directly is tied to the titular theme of the show. The Harfoots are well done and entertaining in their own right, but it's just too early in the show to get bogged down in a slow moving plot when the audience still hasn't been introduced to any threat beyond Sauron existing *somewhere* . Without that plot moving faster, it seems as if their inclusion in the show is more of a weight than a wing. It's not their acting or dialogue , it's just too unconnected and slow at this point.
There's also some very , let's say awkward, creative choices. The first being Galadriel's slow motion scene on the horse. I hated that. Unflattering angle, scene went too long. If you want a hero rides horse across landscape scene watch Two Towers on the way to Edoras. The director really dropped the ball there. The second is the Warg , it's not wrong per say just wasn't the type of design I'd have picked. Lastly, too much slow mo in combat scenes. Let the fight play out, it's reminding me of Michael Bay. The editor also needs to let the panning shots of the vistas last a little longer. No WCS use for a quick cut of a gorgeous shot then an elongated view of Galadriel on the horse.
But ending on a good note : The Numenor plot with the humans and Halbrand is great. Halbrand 100% is sketchy and done well. Elendil might be the best actor of the series so far as well and I can buy him as a future king. The city itself looks the part as well. Arondir's plot , now being revealed as Mordor, takes on a whole new meaning.
All in all, on it's own the episode was satisfactory but not outstanding. The director and editor probably shouldn't be brought back and was carried by the material they're working with. And the reveal of Adar next episode or so needs to be worth this long wait because even as a die hard fan I find myself wanting the plot to move more quickly and not spend so much time watching Harfoots hold a festival.